Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa has been the official preacher of the Vatican for almost 45 years.
In recognition of his service, Pope Francis decided to make him a cardinal in November 2020. He has been in charge of preaching on Good Friday and the Fridays of Advent and Lent, sometimes in proximity to particular events such as the birthdays of popes.
Now the cardinal is 90 years old and the pope has already appointed his successor.
He is another Capuchin friar, also Italian: Roberto Pasolini, who is 53 years old. He is from Milan and is a respected preacher, especially among young people.
His spiritual style follows that of another very successful Roman preacher called Fabio Rosini. Father Rosini is famous for his more psychological approach to catechesis known as the “10 words.”